In his first official visit, which began at 10:27 a.m. in Rome, the president and the pope met for about 50 minutes -- longer than many had expected -- before bringing in the rest of the U.S. delegation, including Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and press secretary Jay Carney.

One by one, the 10 members of the delegation were introduced to the pope.

President Obama made the slow, formal procession to greet the pope in the ornate Small Throne Room outside the Papal Library.

WHAT TO KNOW

President Obama and Pope Francis met for roughly 50 minutes at the Vatican.

Obama presented the pope with a custom-made chest featuring seeds from the White House Garden.

The White House delegation at the Vatican included Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Advisor Susan Rice.

Pope Francis recently was invited by House Speaker John Boehner to address a joint session of Congress.

"Wonderful meeting you. I'm a great admirer," the president said.

The two walked into the library and took seats at opposite sides of the pope's desk.

"I bring greetings from my family," Obama added. "The last time I came here to meet your predecessor I was able to bring my wife and children."

Earlier this month, Pope Francis was invited by House Speaker John Boehner to address a joint session of Congress. Boehner extended the formal invitation on Mar. 13 in a letter to the Vatican on the one-year anniversary of Francis' papacy saying the Holy Father has "awakened hearts on every continent."

Since Paul VI made his first papal visit to the United States in 1965, three popes have come to America. John Paul II came to the United States seven times, visiting with every president from Jimmy Carter to Bill Clinton.

Gabriel Bouys/AP Photo

PHOTO: Pope Francis and President Barack Obama smile as they exchange gifts, at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

On Thursday, under an overcast sky, the president's motorcade weaved through Rome to be welcomed at the Vatican with great ceremony.

It may not seem that the president and the pope have much in common, but they share similarities. The United States' first African American president and the first Latin American pope both exploded onto the global stage sharing messages of hope and change.